title: Development of a subjective loudness rating scale.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In an earlier study ( Beach et al, 2012 ), detailed noise exposure measurements were obtained through individual dosimetry. In this further analysis of the data we ask the question "Can the effort required to converse in noise be used to estimate the experienced A-weighted noise level?"
  
  
  METHODS
  The noise levels experienced during specific activities were obtained from the analysis of dosimetry results from personal noise exposure meters worn by study participants. The measured noise levels from particular events were compared to a subjectively judged 'loudness rating' reported by the person wearing the dosimeter during the measured event.
  
  
  METHODS
  Volunteers (females = 20, males = 22) between 18 and 35 years (average age = 26.8) willing to wear dosimeters and keep a simple activity log.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The relation between the objectively measured and the subjectively judged levels was consistent for the group over a large number of events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The subjective loudness rating index was shown to be a convenient tool that can be utilized for the retrospective estimation of noise levels from individual activities.
authors.affiliation: National Acoustic Laboratories, Sydney, NSW, Australia. warwick.williams@nal.gov.au
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Beach
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gilliver
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000162:Acoustics; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008144:Loudness Perception; D008297:Male; D009622:Noise; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D055815:Young Adult